With summer approaching, our skin is about to face its biggest seasonal stressor: the sun. While the sun plays an essential role in our health—supporting vitamin D synthesis and boosting mood—overexposure can lead to dehydration, pigmentation, premature aging, and increased sensitivity.
For formulators, summer skincare calls for thoughtful ingredient selection. The goal isn’t just sun protection (which should always include a broad-spectrum SPF), but also soothing, repairing, and reinforcing the skin’s barrier before and after sun exposure.
In this guide, we’ll explore the must-have natural ingredients to include in your suncare and after-sun formulations, from antioxidant-rich oils to calming botanicals and hydrating humectants—available at Bulk Naturals Wholesale.
Why Suncare Is More Than Just SPF
While sunscreen is essential for UV protection, holistic suncare starts well before the beach. It involves preparing the skin with nutrients that support cellular repair, calm inflammation, and enhance the skin’s barrier against oxidative stress.
Your summer skincare formulations should:
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Strengthen the skin’s natural defenses
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Offer antioxidant protection
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Soothe heat-induced inflammation
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Prevent moisture loss
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Support skin healing after sun exposure
Let’s break down the top ingredients to help achieve those goals.
Best Ingredients for Summer Suncare Skincare
1. Raspberry Seed Oil
Raspberry Seed Oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid and has naturally occurring SPF-like qualities (though not a substitute for sunscreen). It's packed with Vitamin E, making it excellent for combating free radical damage from UV exposure.
Why Use It?
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Potential UV protection booster
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Rich in antioxidants
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Light, non-greasy feel for summer formulations
How to Use: Add 5–15% in face oils, balms, or post-sun repair serums.
2. Aloe Vera Extract Powder
Aloe is a staple in after-sun care for a reason. It cools and soothes overheated skin, reduces redness, and accelerates healing. Aloe Extract is water-soluble and blends well in toners, gels, and lotions.
Why Use It?
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Soothes sunburn and inflammation
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Hydrates without heaviness
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Supports wound healing
How to Use: Rehydrate Aloe Powder into a water base or use Aloe Extract in mists, after-sun gels, and lotions.
3. Sea Buckthorn Oil
This vivid orange oil is loaded with carotenoids (including beta-carotene) and omega-7, which help regenerate skin and improve elasticity. It’s especially effective for healing sun-exposed or sun-damaged skin.
Why Use It?
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Supports tissue regeneration
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High in antioxidants
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Promotes an even skin tone
How to Use: Use at 1–3% in facial oils, creams, or after-sun balms.
4. Green Tea Extract
Green Tea is one of the most researched botanical antioxidants. It helps prevent UV-induced oxidative damage and can reduce redness and inflammation after sun exposure.
Why Use It?
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Neutralizes free radicals
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Reduces inflammation and UV stress
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Great for all skin types
How to Use: Use at 0.5–2% in water-based formulas like gels, lotions, and emulsions.
5. Hyaluronic Acid
Summer heat and sun can leave skin parched. Hyaluronic Acid attracts moisture into the skin, plumping and rehydrating without clogging pores.
Why Use It?
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Replenishes lost hydration
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Lightweight and non-comedogenic
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Supports skin bounce and glow
How to Use: Add to the water phase of hydrating serums, after-sun toners, or cooling masks.
6. Calendula Oil (Infused)
Calendula is an age-old remedy for burns, irritation, and sensitivity. Its anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing properties make it ideal in summer care for children and adults alike.
Why Use It?
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Calms and restores irritated skin
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Safe for sensitive skin and babies
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Speeds up skin healing
How to Use: Use it in after-sun balms and creams at 5–10%.
7. Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano)
Non-nano Zinc Oxide is one of the most effective and safest physical UV filters. It forms a barrier on the skin that reflects both UVA and UVB rays, unlike chemical sunscreens that absorb into the skin. It’s non-irritating, reef-safe, and approved for use in natural and mineral sunscreens.
Why Use It?
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Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection
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Safe for sensitive skin
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Does not absorb into bloodstream (non-nano)
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Anti-inflammatory properties help calm sun-exposed skin
How to Use: In sunscreens, use 15–25% by weight. Be sure to properly disperse Zinc Oxide to prevent clumping and ensure even protection. Combine with oils and emulsifiers for smooth application.
Summer Formulation Ideas
Here are a few ways to incorporate these ingredients:
After-Sun Mist: Aloe + Hyaluronic Acid + Green Tea
After-Sun Balm: Sea Buckthorn + Calendula-Infused Oil + Shea Butter
Summer Face Oil: Raspberry Seed + Squalane + Vitamin E + Essential Oils (like Lavender or Chamomile)
Mineral Sunscreen Lotion: Zinc Oxide + Raspberry Seed Oil + Emulsifier + Water Phase
Don’t Want to Formulate from Scratch? Try These Premade Summer Skincare Essentials
If you’re looking for a ready-made solution to dry, sun-exposed skin, Bulk Naturals Wholesale offers two expertly crafted skincare staples designed for hydration, recovery, and barrier repair:
Lavender-Infused Mango Shea Butter
This rich, buttery blend deeply nourishes parched skin while delivering the calming scent of real lavender. It features Lavender-Infused Oat Oil for soothing benefits, Manuka Honey Extract for antimicrobial protection, and a base of Mango and Shea butters for intense moisture—perfect after a day in the sun.
Key Benefits:
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Calms irritation and redness
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Restores softness to sun-dried skin
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Rich in vitamins, fatty acids, and botanical aromatics
Great For: Daily use after sun exposure, dry elbows, shoulders, and legs.
Rainforest Rescue “Un-Petroleum”
A clean, vegan alternative to petroleum balms, this balm features Pequi Oil, a vibrant orange Brazilian treasure packed with carotenoids (Vitamin A), plus Aloe, Rosehip Oil, and Pomegranate Sterols to soothe, heal, and protect. It creates a breathable barrier on the skin—ideal for hands, feet, or any area in need of post-sun rescue.
Key Benefits:
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High in antioxidants, Vitamin A, and anti-inflammatory actives
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Reinforces the skin barrier without clogging pores
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Aloe provides cooling and antimicrobial support
Great For: Cracked hands, windburned or sun-parched skin, and barrier repair on the go.
These two ready-to-use products are perfect to stock in your summer skincare lineup.
Final Thoughts
Sun protection doesn’t stop with SPF—it continues with after-sun care that calms, hydrates, and supports the skin’s healing process. Whether you're creating a mineral sunscreen, an after-sun mist, or a recovery serum, Bulk Naturals Wholesale offers the raw ingredients to formulate effectively for hot-weather skincare to repair and protect all summer long.
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